Longest Chapter ever!! :D Sorry it took so long though. I went out of town and had no internet access. :'(

enjoy~

I stepped warily in the enormous house of the Cullens, wondering how long I could put off the confrontation. I tiptoed in and then suddenly there was Edward, standing in the door way between the kitchen and the entrance room.

To my utmost surprise he didn't seem that angry. His nose was scrunched like he smelled something bad but that was only for a split second. I stared longer and noticed there was anger but worry was the dominate emotion. "Hey…"I said shyly.

He folded his arms, taking a deep long breath. "Bella," he breathed, "I want to formally apologize for making you upset earlier."

My brain reeled for a second until I remembered the reason I had left in the first place. It seemed so silly now. Mimicking his tone I stated, "I want to formally apologize for running off like that. It was…silly." I ended lamely.

He walked up to me, a soft expression on his face. I stumbled for a moment, lost in his gaze. I forced myself to look down. "It was careless on my part." He whispered.

Dying to know what expression his face held I looked up and saw the regret. He truly blamed himself. I swallowed, "Edward, I just got overwhelmed. My emotions needed sorting out. I'm sorry if I gave a reason for worry. I'm fine now." I smiled up to him, hoping to convey the right emotions.

"Bella, Bella," he said so softly I could barely hear it, "This is hard for you, but it would put my mind at ease if you didn't run off like that."

I processed what he said. It was like he was begging me to stay in the house, locked from the outdoors.

I looked out the window, watching the sun slowly set behind the clouds, phrasing my next sentence carefully, "It is hard and you and your family have been so gracious, but Edward," I looked up into him, my eyes pleading, "I can't stay in the house cooped up like a caged bird. I don't know if I'll ever get home again," I paused trying to reel in my emotions, "but getting out is one way that makes me feel semi normal."

Suddenly, he pulled me close and comforted me as I tried to keep the tears out of my eyes. His touch and care for me made me feel guilty like I was tricking him, which brought on more tears. "I'll find you a way home, I promise." He said over and over again.

I pushed away gently, not wanting to leave the comfort of his arms and yet not wanting to get closer. "I think I need to go to bed. I've had a long day."

He nodded and walked me to my room, much in the same way the Ephraim went with me part of the way to the Cullens. The comparison made me laugh. They were not alike at all but at the same time I could sense something very similar.

The next day Edward insisted on going out. I knew what he was trying to do so I desperately tried to decline. "Edward," I moaned, "When I said that yesterday I was implying that I knew someone in the town."

He shook his head, "Too risky, you could alter you whole future by meeting someone from the past, but I would be love to help you feel less 'cooped up.' "

"My whole future is already messed up; trust me, nothing can make it worse." I saw his butterscotch eyes flinch and hastily amended my statement, "What I meant was that I am probably considered dead in my own time and I won't live to see my own time period anyway. Besides, won't going into the town mean I might 'meet' someone drastic to my future?"

He shook his head. Somehow I knew Edward was just trying to keep me from Ephraim. Nothing in what he said but his manner and also in Ephraim's the day before. Like they knew each other and did not like it.

He picked up a basket and led me out the back. I frowned. "I though we were going in town," I said as I cautiously made my way towards him.

"Esme has graciously made us lunch in this basket to allow us to have a picnic." He stated, leading me into the forest. Curious to spend time alone with Edward and anxious to see what would happen next I followed him to a small clearing. It was then that I realized I was falling in love with Edward Cullen.

EPOV

I breathed in her intoxicating perfume as we spread out the blanket. I had prepared for this outing by hunting the night before, but her scent drew me in like a magnet. Although I was not completely desensitized to human blood and could not yet distinguish individual flavors, I knew that Bella's blood was different. I sat down close enough to be considered polite but far enough to not be too tempted.

Carlisle and Esme had not consented to this idea. They thought it was risky but I had convinced them enough to stay just out of earshot, to give us privacy.

Bella grabbed an apple, turning in her hands as she watched me covertly. I saw thought and depth in those eyes and I desperately wished I could hear what caused her silence.

Bella saw me staring and blushed. I smiled as she looked down. "Do you like Forks?" I asked, trying to know her more.

She looked up, surprised and then shrugged, "I suppose its ok. It's just a little wet for me." She scratched at her cast, "And cold."

"What made you come then? You mentioned your parents divorce…" I said. I had been careful to avoid such questions in fear of making her depressed, but I could no longer hold my curiosity.

She stared out into the woods, contemplating. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes but also the longing and surrender. To what? I wondered, her situation?

"My mother got remarried," she stated.

"And she didn't want you in the house." I assumed. She surprised me by being angry.

"No! She wanted me but it hurt her to leave Phil…so I left." She gave a nonchalant shrug but I could guess the pain she felt when leaving her mother.

"But now you are not happy," I said, wishing in the world that I could give her joy.

She shrugged again, "Maybe, maybe not."

She glanced at me quickly and I froze. Did I make her happy? Was that what that glance meant? I smiled slowly but it was quickly diminished when our first meeting came to my mind's eye. I flinched at the revolting monster that I was.

"Why don't you eat anything?" she asked, offering the apple she had been fiddling with. I tried to be polite.

"I'm not that hungry. I ate earlier." I saw her flinch involuntarily and then shake her head, as if to dispel memories. I frowned. I leaned towards her, taking her hand in mine, "I promise to never hurt you."

She looked at our hands, as if enjoying their touch and then smiled at me, a tired weary smile, "I know, Edward, I know."

Being Forks, it took that moment to start raining. We quickly gathered things and made our way back. I found that I had fallen in love with Isabella Swan.

What do you think? Going to fast? too slow? Please tell me your thoughts!!